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A quick summary....
CDU immerses students in a rich global learning community that fosters professional excellence, fellowship and engagement. As a learner-centered institution, CDU takes a personal approach to online education, enabling students to earn academically rigorous degrees and certificates from the comfort of home.
CDU IS
- Committed to your educational success
- Faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church
- Fully online, with a Student Life Center that fosters community engagement and an online library staffed by a supportive theological librarian
- Proud of its faculty, who are highly regarded in their areas of study
- Cost effective with affordable tuition and fees
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- Programmatically accredited by The Association of Theological Schools at the graduate level
Master’s Program
“As someone who has studied most of his adult life in one form or another—face-to-face and online, undergraduate to doctoral level—I can say that I have never had a better collection of teachers than I had at CDU.”
–Deacon Adam Walk, MA (Theology)
“My intellectual growth in the field of theology is indisputable after completing this program. I have also grown from a person who was just interested in the faith into a person who is able to invite and accompany others on their faith journeys to more fully live Christ’s mandate to become missionary disciples. This is mostly due to my spiritual progress.”
–Ute Eble, MA in Theology and Educational Ministry
“I am very happy to be with CDU. In addition to the online aspect, the professionalism and enthusiasm of the CDU team is refreshing. I also feel comfortable because CDU seems to believe in authentic Catholic teaching without some of the abuses I have seen in other ‘Catholic colleges.’”
–Andrew Toscano, MA (Theology)
“After talking with friends who have pursued other online programs, I am especially grateful for the format of the CDU course rooms. The sharing that takes place among students truly adds a dimension that allows for serious academic discussion, encouragement among peers, and a wonderful sense of community.”
–Mary McKay, MA (Theology)
“It has been a long road and I’m grateful for the unfailing support and encouragement from the faculty and staff at CDU. I will include Catholic Distance University on my curriculum vitae with pride, as I believe the education I’ve received has been exemplary; it is also invaluable to the work that I do in psychotherapy and natural family planning.”
–Anne Marie Posella, MA (Theology)
“Knowing what I believe and what the basis of those teachings and beliefs is has helped me immensely. I work full time and absolutely needed the asynchronous format where I could work on the courses when I had time during the day, weeks or months, etc. I could not fit a traditional face-to-face course format into my schedule.”
—Dr. Angelo Giardino, MA (Theology)
“My coursework has far exceeded any expectations I had coming into the program. Both my professors and colleagues pushed me to think in ways that I had never considered before. I was constantly pushed outside my comfort zone and challenged to go deeper and further in my thoughts and ideas. My faith is so much deeper than I thought was possible, and my discipleship is stronger than ever. I am grateful for this coursework to help me grow professionally, but I am equally if not more grateful for the profound ways that it has enlightened my faith journey!”
–Elizabeth Kos, MA (Theology)
“THEO 503 has been an amazing experience and has far exceeded my expectations; I have loved every minute of it and have felt as though my mind has come alive after a long snooze. I do not expect any of the other courses I may take at CDU to do any less.”
–Very Rev. John A. Hollister, Graduate Certificate in Sacred Scripture
“CDU uses the resources of the internet to communicate the Faith…to communicate true hope…to communicate the real message of Jesus Christ.”
— Deacon Jim Pierce, MA (Theology)
Bachelor’s Program
“Catholic Distance University did not just prepare me for my job but gave me an opportunity to grow in my Faith with a wonderful community of classmates and professors. I am so grateful for my time at CDU and cannot wait to share what I have learned with my family, Parish community, and all those I encounter in my lifetime.”
—Katlyn Lawler, BA in Theology
“My education from CDU gave me confidence as well as valuable knowledge that has helped me in my professional life. I have also gained critical thinking skills, organizational skills, and increased my ability to look at things through a worldview centered on Jesus and his Church.”
—Francis Cabildo, BA in Theology
“[Coming to CDU] was a great decision. I had all of these college credits and no degree, and the BA in Theology was the answer I was searching for. And for the first time in my life my education was now something I could be passionate about.”
—Adam Beerling, BA in Theology
“Thank you so much for making the BA in Theology available online. I never would have completed this except in a distance program, and you made that possible!”
—Matthew J. Lombardi, BA in Theology
“I have taken several courses now, and one of the delights that I have discovered is that the same familiar names keep appearing. This is a distinguishing mark that makes this University appealing. Even though I may never see the actual faces, I am developing a circle of classmates that I am progressing through the curriculum with, and it builds a sense of camaraderie and trust.”
—Joy Baron, BA in Theology
“Professor Harvey’s class, ENG 111, was perhaps one of the best college classes I have taken in my life. The reading selection was outstanding, and not only did it make me further appreciate some classics I already loved, his class introduced me to new and beautiful works. Professor Harvey set up the class in a way that bridged the distance between classmates and teachers. It’s because of great teachers like him and schools like this that I feel truly blessed.”
–Shawn Davila, BA in Theology
Associate’s Program
“CDU gave me a chance to study theology online in a way that would be easy for me as a working young adult. CDU gave me a chance to pursue something that has completely set my heart on fire—working with young people to show them the beauty of having a relationship with Jesus. I can’t wait to use the tools that I have gained from CDU to accomplish what Christ is calling me to.”
—Mary Kate Budd, AA in Liberal Arts
“CDU has been an incredible blessing for me. The flexible programs have allowed me to manage a very high level position in the hospital with an enormous amount of responsibility. I am on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a tier 1 classification. I work long hours and 6-7 days a week, sometimes 16 hour days because of staff shortages. It would be impossible for me to earn a degree in a classroom environment.”
—Charles Aviles, AA in Liberal Arts with a Concentration in Catholic Studies
Continuing Education
“I had a very positive experience with this course and CDU! Just knowing how much I have learned from this course I can see how I look at things differently because of what I know now.”
–Catarina Hernandez
“I live far away from the school that I teach in and as much as I’d like to go to after school workshops, I find that after a whole day of teaching, all I want to do is get home. It is wonderful to be able to take courses this way. I am SO thankful for CDU.”
—Joan Forgione
“I am loving this course very much. The CDU independent study courses are a perfect fit! ”
— Kay Vovo
“I find that the classes are challenging not only in the learning aspect but in my self-growth and spiritual life. I just keep looking forward to what else I am going to learn. It’s like every page I read takes me to another level. God is so good to us!”
— Anna Martinez
“Currently, I am a high school Theology teacher. In addition, I am also a columnist for an international website, Catholic Stand.”
—Todd Nolan
“I volunteer in my parish, Hungarian Saints in Budapest, as theologian for a youth group.”
—Dániel Némethy
“I am currently on the editorial team for the CANews (Catholic Asia News), a monthly magazine for the Catholics in Malaysia that was launched in 1972. For the current calendar year, I am the guest editor responsible for developing the themes, sourcing articles, editing, and the distribution of the magazine in Malaysia. My MA (Theology) is the primary reason I am on the editorial team and was chosen to lead the magazine for this year.”
—Adrian Marcellus
“I am now co-director of the Focolare Movement North America.”
—Paloma Cabetas
“I live our faith in being a witness every day in my school. As St. Francis said, ‘Preach everywhere. Talk when needed.’ Many times I have great conversations about our faith with my fellow teachers, but I can only teach my students our faith with how I respond and act.”
—Caroline Hemling
“The MA has helped me in my volunteer work at my parish. I’m better equipped to defend the faith as well as to teach it and share with others. I’m a catechist for both the high school and adult confirmation programs. I also work with the Adult Faith Formation program.”
—Shelfa Williams
“I use my degree every day in my studies and for personal growth in discipleship. On an ecclesiastical level I teach RCIA in the men’s prison in Gatesville, Texas. I am also in charge of the School of Leaders for the Austin Diocese’ Cursillo Movement. My degree has also served me in my service as Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, and it has broadened my understanding of Sacred Scripture when lectoring at Mass.”
—Dennis Alber
“I am a DRE at St. Tobias RC Church in Brockway, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Erie. I am a mentor for new religious education leaders. I also work for the diocese as a spiritual and theological director of formation for catechists and those religious ed leaders seeking certification in our Diocesan Certificate Program. I am currently helping the Diocesan Education Office to develop a standard curriculum for sacramental prep in the elementary grades.”
—Tara Starr
“I am currently a deacon with the Diocese of Grand Rapids (Michigan). I have a theology degree (Scripture) from CDU. I am using the degree in my homilies and other diaconal work. I also assist with the formation of new deacons.”
—Jerry Roersma
